Brick grab



July 6, 1943. R. A. FoNTAlNE n BRICK GRAB Filed Jan. 28, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6', 1943.

R. A. FQNTAINE BRICK GRAB Filed Jan. 28, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRICK GRAB Robert A. Fontaine, Martinsville, Va.

Application January 28, 1942, Serial No. 428,612

12 Claims.

The invention relates to a brick grab and more particularly to a means capable of embracing a hack of bricks in the process of moving the hack from one location to another.

An object of the invention is to provide a brick grab having vertically spaced means for contacting a hack of bricks and maintaining the bricks in a predetermined stacked relation while bein`g moved from location to location.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a brick grab having incorporated therein a series of plates or embracing means arranged to extend partially around a hack of bricks in retaining them in assembled relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a brick grab a plurality of arms or tines with some of the tines having shoes for engaging a hack of bricks adpacent the lower portion thereof and others of the tines carrying plates arranged to span the sides of the hack above the shoes.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide spherical means on shoes and plates which may be pressed against a hack of bricks with the spherical means arranged to react against arms or tines of the brick grab to provide for an equalization, articulation or adjustment of the shoes or plates to compensate for the slight unevenness of the hack and contact the bricks Vso that the hack as a unit may be elevated.

An added object of the invention is to provide in a brick grab a rear plate xed to a frame with side plates movably associated with arms or tines and having portions telescoping the rear plate and a bail means disposed forwardly of the center of mass of a loaded brick grab in order that the rear plate will function as a supporting platform.

The above as well as numerous other objects will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accom- :panying drawings which disclose an exemplified form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a side elevational View of a brick grab embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a view similar to that disclosed by Figure l except that herein the loaded brick grab is shown elevated from a supporting base or foundation.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the brick grab shown in Figure 1; this view is taken through two different planes to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the brick grab taken along lines 4 4 of YFigure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is la horizontal sectional view taken through one side of the brick grab and being taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through a portion of the brick grab and taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts,

the numeral l is employed to designate in a general vmanner a brick grab capable of embracing a hack, assemblage or stack of bricks 2 and retaining them in assembled relation while transporting or moving them from one location to another. The brick grab comprises a superstructure or main frame made up of channelshaped beams 3 spaced longitudinally of the brick grab and extending transversely thereof. The beams are arranged in spaced pairs with adjacent pairs or beams of a pair desirably disposed with their webs t vertically disposed and facing one another. Tying the beams together is a topplatforrn or cover plate 5 which overlies all the beams and extends for the full length of the brick grab and transversely thereof to span an intermediate portion of the beams. Any securing means such as rivets or welds (not shown) may be employed to fasten the cover plate to the beams. Upstanding from the cover plate within the confines thereof are vertically disposed spaced corner posts 6 also of channel formation with the webs 'l thereof facing towards the center of the brick grab. The corner posts extend a predetermined distance above the cover plate where they are joined by a horizontally disposed tie beam 8 secured to the posts by the same method and means as the posts are anchored to the cover plate Preferably by welds (not shown). Stationed on the tie beam, desirably a predetermined distance forwardly of the center of mass of the brick grab, is a bail or lifting device 9 so that, as the loaded brick grab is elevated from its supporting area, the loaded structure will assume an angular, tilted or abnormal disposition which will tend to permit the hack of bricks to gravitate toward the rear of the brick grab for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. The lifting device is provided with an upper aperture I0 for the accommodation of a lifting hook ma and a lower opening Il for the reception of an arm (not shown) of a conveyor which may be of the type described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 405,859, filed August 7, 1941.

Extending longitudinally of the brick grab intermediate of the corner plate and transverse limits thereof are a pair of reinforcing angular members I2 spanning the beams 3 and secured thereto by any desired means, preferably by welding (not shown). The angular members are arranged so as to present an inverted V to have the legs I3 thereof bearing upon the beams.

Arranged longitudinally and transversely of the brick grab are pairs of related arms, tongs or tines i4, each of which comprises a structural member of hollow or box-like conformation in horizontal cross section, as clearly indicated particularly in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings, to present a rigid construction capable of withstanding the strains to which they will be subjected in service. The pairs of arms or tines I4 are substantially evenly spaced longitudinally of the brick grab so that their center line will coincide in approximation to the center line of the bricks forming the lower course of the hack for the purpose to be hereinafter apparent. Each tine or arm being positioned between a pair of related or backed beams, is provided with a vertically disposed portion or shaft i5 directed downwardly from adjacent the lateral limits of the superstructure and an arched or inwardly directed extension E6 forming an upper continuation of the associated shaft arched so as to terminate adjacent a longitudinal vertical plane of the brick grab in vertically spaced relation to the cover plate. Each tine or arm is further provided with a gusset plate 21 forming a reinforcing member assisting in rigidifying each arm substantially throughout the extent of the exi tension and to be directed inwardly of the brick grab. rlhe free extremity I'Ia of each gusset plate is spaced a predetermined distance from the related angular member and so disposed that the free edge Will engage or come into contact with the angular member to limit the movement of each arm in one direction. Since the tines or arms, to be effective, must be capable of movement and thereby be urged into and out of engagement with a hack of bricks, there is provided adjacent the transverse limits of each side of the frame, a shaft I8 extending longitudinally of the frame and through the beam webs thereof. So as to increase the bearing area of the beams, suitably apertured bearing plates I9 are secured to the main beams to span the free edges thereof in and adjacent the area of the shafts. Likewise, it is desired to increase the bearing area of the gusset plates, and towards the accomplishment of this purpose, each gusset plate is provided with outstanding aligned ferrules 2i) of a size to neatly accommodate the shafts or permit the passage of the shaft therethrough. It is to be noted that the ferrules not only function as a bearing means, but further act as separators to maintain the related frame beams in a propel' or spaced relation. At the spaces between adjacent frame beams which are not occupied by an arm or tine, there is provided a tubular nipple or section of pipe 2I extending circumambient the shafts and bearing against related bearing plates to retain the associated frame beams in a predetermined position. Cotters 22 or any other desired locking means bisect the shafts adjacent their free or outer extremities to thereby prevent an unwarranted displacement or longitudinal or axial shifting of the shafts from their illustrated position. It will be noted, therefore, that through the medium of the shafts, the arms are pivotally mounted on the frame and capable of acting as means to straddle or embrace the hack of bricks.

Each arm is provided with an inwardly disposed, flexible or resilient lever 23 formed of any inherently resilient material such as spring steel and which has an upper extremity secured to the arm shafts intermediate the height thereof by any desired method such as the welds 23. The lower extremity of each lever is provided with a shoe 24 secured to the lever and disposed inwardly of the brick grab. Each shoe is of a particular size to contact or engage the greater portion of an associated or adjacent lowermost brick of the hack, as clearly indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. Accordingly, from the thus far described construction, it will be noted that upon the movement of the arm shafts inwardly of the brick grab, the shoes thereof will come into contact with the lowermost course of bricks in the hack and any added pressure of the arm shafts in a corresponding direction will result in sufricient pressure being applied to warrant or permit a raising action of the hack of bricks and brick grab as a unit.

It will of course be understood that in the course of transporting or moving the hack of bricks from one location to another, the bricks may have a tendency to shift slightly from their original predetermined position. Accordingly, in order to compensate for any slight displacement of the bricks, especially in the lower course, each shoe or associated extremity of each lever is provided with a substantially centralized spherically disposed element 25 characterized in the present embodiment by a commercial rivet having a spherical head engaging or bearing against the related tine shaft. By reason of this arrangement and association, the shoes are articulately or universally associated with the arms, and, therefore, capable of adjusting themselves in service where they encounter a brick that has been displaced or shifted out of alignment with the adjacent bricks.

It has been found in practice, that Where only the lower course of bricks is engaged by clamping means, shocks or impulses imparted to the hack of bricks as a unit While being transported, has a tendency to disrupt the arrangement. This disruption may, at times, be so severe as to prohibit superimposing another hack of bricks thereof. Consideration has been given to maintaining al1 of the bricks in a hack in a pre-arranged relationship, and toward the accomplishment of this end, there is provided intermediate the length of the brick grab, a pair 0f oppositely disposed and spaced auxiliary arms or tines 26. These latter mentioned arms are desirably of the same box-like cross sectional configuration and contour as the arms I4 previously described and are interposed between related arms, preferably midway of the brick grab, or more specifically, positioned so as to be bisected by a transverse vertical plane passing through the center of the brick grab. The auxiliary arms are formed with reinforcing gusset plates 21 also capable of engaging the angular members to limit movement of the auxiliary arms in one direction. The reinforcing gusset plates 2'I extend between and are secured to arcuate extensions 28 and shafts 29 of the auxiliary arms. Outstanding from and secured to the gusset plates 21. are ferrules 30 neatly accommodating the shafts I8 to afford an Yappreciable bearing area between the auxiliary arms and shafts, as well as facilitate a pivotal movement of the auxiliary arms. As will be noted by referring particularly to Figures l and 3, the shafts of the auxiliary arms are considerably shorter than the shafts of the first described arms so that they terminate adjacent the center of the hack of bricks. Securedto each auxiliary arm at a position below itspivotal connection with the frame is a resilient lever 3| directed downwardly and inwardly from its position of attachment to the associated shaft to have the lower extremity thereof secured to and support a plate means, retaining member or barrier 32.

The plate means extends substantially the full'y length of the brick grab so as to span the entire side of a hack of bricks at a position elevated from the shoes. Each barrier is provided with a leading or forward edge 33 which is inclined outwardly of the brick grab or directed away from the hack of bricks, so that when the brick grab is being associated with a hack of bricks on the same level therewith the leading edges of the side plates 33 will function as guide means to direct the brick grab over the hack. The trailing or rear edge of each side plate is offset or angularly directed inwardly of the brick grab to present a leg 34 stiffening the rear edge of the side plate and functioning as a back-up plate to be hereinafter more fully explained. So as to also incorporate an articulate or adjusting feature in the side plate each lever 3| is formed with a spherically disposed member 35 which in the present embodiment is exemplified by a head of a commercial rivet, but need not necessarily be so limited. The spherical members 35 are of course spaced from the auxiliary arm shafts and as the arms close upon a hack of bricks to a degree Where the spherical members will engage the related shafts, the side plates will therefore necessarily adjust themselves to accommodate the disposition of the engaged bricks. In telescoping relation with the side plate legs is a rear plate or bulkhead 35 disposed inwardly of the brick grab from the legs, but preferably in the close proximity thereto, so that the legs may form back-up, stiffening or reinforcing means for the rear plate. The bulkhead is conveniently formed with an upper, angularly disposed, inwardly directed shelf or ledge 31 which underlies an adjacent beam and is secured thereto by any desired method to suspend the bulkhead from the frame.

Operating means has been provided in the brick grab to move all the arms about their pivotal connections, and, as an accomplishment towards this end, there is stationed on and secured to the upper plate, a series of actuating means or, more specifically, cylinders 38, of a number to correspond with the pair of arms which in the instant exemplication is five; that is to say, each pair of arms is provided with a cylinder disposed in lower spaced relation with the upper free extremities of the arm extensions. Each cylinder has extending upwardly therefrom a piston 39 formed with a cross arm or head 4U having upwardly diverging links 4| pivotally connected thereto. The arm extensions have at their upper free extremities, lips or tongues 42, welded or otherwise secured thereto, and which are also pivotally connected to the diverging links. The cylinders are actuated by fluid pressure fed through a pipe or conduit 43 communicating with all of the cylinders adjacent their lower portion so that upon an application of fluid pressure to the conduit all the cylinders will be charged equally and cause the plungers to move upwardly simultaneously and effect a movement of all shafts inwardly of the brick grab to place the shoes and side plates in engagement with the hack of brick.

Outstanding from each arcuate extension It and 28 is a vertically disposed shoulder, abutment or brace 44 provided with an aperture for the accommodation ofl a horizontal clevis or eye bolt 45 having a'rotatable member 45 in bearing relation with the brace. Extending between associated, related or transversely aligned clevises is a tension resilient means or coil type spring 41 which is interlocked with aligned spaced clevises to move the arm extensions towards one another and return the cylinder plungers to retracted position within the cylinders. These coil springs, therefore, function as means for separating the arm shafts and moving the shoes and side plates away from or out of contact with the hack of bricks.

From the species of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings and the above description, it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made thereto without departing from within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: Y

1. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame and fluid pressure actuated means carried by said frame and adapted to move said arms about their pivots; some of said arms being arranged and constructed to exert pressure on a hack of bricks adjacent the bottom thereof while others of saidarms are arranged and constructed to exert pressure against the center of said hack.

2. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame, fluid pressure actuated means carried by said frame and adapted to move said arms about their pivots, shoes flexibly connected to some of said arms and being arranged to react against said associated arms, and plate means above said shoes being arranged to react against others of said arms.

3. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame, fluid pressure actuated means carried by said frame and adapted to move said arms about their pivots, some of said arms extending to adjacent the lower portion of a hack of bricks and carrying shoes arranged for flexible movement, others of said arms extending to intermediate the height of said hack and carrying means adapted to span most of said hack.

4. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of spaced arms pivotally connected to and depending from said frame, communicating fluid pressure actuated means carried by said frame and adapted to move said arms about their pivots, means carried by said frame and arranged to limit movement of said arms in one direction, resilient means connecting associating arms for overcoming the action of said fluid pressure actuated means, some of said arms reacting against a hack of bricks adjacent the lower portion thereof, and others of said arms arranged for reacting against a hack of bricks intermediate the height thereof.

5. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, means for moving said arms about their pivots, bail means upstanding from said frame forwardly of the center of mass 0f the brick grab when loaded, plate means depending from the rear of said frame adapted to span the hack of bricks, and plate means associated with said arms and arranged to span the sides of a hack of bricks; said last named plate means having an offset portion telescopingly related to said rst named plate means.

6. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, bail means extending from said frame forwardly of the center of mass of the brick grab when loaded, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, some of said arms being arranged and constructed to react against adjacent the lower portion of a hack f bricks, plate means depending from said frame adjacent the rear thereof for spanning said hack of bricks, and other plate means exibly associated with others of said arms and adapted to span the sides of said hack of bricks.

7. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, bail means extending from said frame forwardly of the center of mass of the brick grab when loaded, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, some of said arms being arranged and constructed to react against adjacent the lower portion of a hack of bricks, plate means depending from said frame adjacent the rear thereof for spanning said hack of bricks, and other plate means iiexibly associated with others of said arms and adapted to Span the sides of said hack of bricks; said last named plate means having an angularly disposed portion telescopingly related tc said rst; named plate means.

8. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, shoe means carried by some of said arms, and plate means carried above said shoe means by others of said arms, said shoe and plate means having a spherically formed means extending therefrom and arranged to engage the associated arms for permitting an equalization of said shoe and plate means.

9. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, shoe means carried by some of said arms, plate means carried above said shoe means by others of said arms, said shoe and plate means having a spherically formed means extending therefrom and arranged to engage the associated arms for permitting an equalization of said shoe and plate means, selectively controlled means carried by said frame for urging portions of said arms below said frame toward one another, and resilient means connecting said arms for urging portions thereof below said frame away from one another.

10. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, shoe means carried by some of said arms, plate means carried above said shoe means by others of said arms, said shoe and plate means having a spherically formed means extending therefrom and arranged to engage the associated arms for permitting an equalization of said shoe and plate means, gusset means in said arms, and means reinforcing said frame adapted to be engaged by said gusset means for limiting movement of said arms in one direction.

11. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, shoe means carried by some of said arms, plate means carried above said shoe means by others of said arms, said shoe and plate means having a spherically formed means extending therefrom and arranged to engage the associated arms for permitting an equalization of said shoe and plate means; and a plate depending from said frame adjacent one end thereof and extending between said plate means.

12. In a brick grab, the combination of a frame, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said frame, shoe means carried by some of said arms, plate means carried above said shoe means by others of said arms, said shoe and plate means having a spherically formed means extending therefrom and arranged to engage the associated arms for permitting an equalization of said shoe and plate means, a plate rigidly secured to said frame adjacent one end thereof, and angularly disposed means on said plate means extending toward one another and in telescoping relation with said rigidly secured plate.

ROBERT A. FONTAINE. 

